Add punch to rakhis with chocolate, cookies and quilling

How about getting a rakhi that you can eat? Or how about making one by perfecting the art of quilling? This Raksha Bandhan, sisters are trying innovative ways to add the personal touch and thoughtfulness.

Delhi-based Roshni Chugh, is a chocolate maker. She realised that youngsters generally fiddle with their rakhi’s and take it off after some time. Hence, she thought of using chocolate in her rakhis to cater to a niche audience.

“It is fun to bring such changes in rakhis. One can just eat the chocolate after the day is over,” Chugh, the owner of GICEE chocolates said.

“These are very popular,” she added.

The chocolate rakhis come in a wide variety of flavours and are priced between Rs.100 and Rs.150.

Nisha Mehra, who also lives in Delhi, got the idea of starting her own small-time business of cookie rakhis when her cousin asked her to tie a cookie around his wrist so that he could eat it.

“It was then I realised it could be an exciting idea to starting something that is different,” Mehra said.

“I use a medium sized biscuit, immerse it into the chocolate syrup and sprinkle it with cashews. They can be kept for day if one wants to, but they are so irresistible that one can’t resist them,” she added.

While traditional rakhis have already flooded the markets, Suman Verma decided to do something different to make her brother feel special. She attended a workshop in the capital and learnt the technique of quilling.

“Quilling involves use of paper strips that are rolled, shaped and glued together to create decorative designs,” Nidhi Mahendroo, who conducts workshops said.

“People want to add the personal touch to the rakhi. So, I conduct this workshop every season as these rakhis are easy to make and look very beautiful,” she added.

Mahendroo had conducted one-day workshops in Vasant Vihar in south Delhi. She charged Rs. 600 per day.

Last, but not the least, is the “lumba” or “chura” rakhi.

This special rakhi strengthens the bond between the sister and sister-in-law, and are tied on the wrists of the latter.

These designs can be customised and one can choose from different colours of tussles.

“People design their own lumba rakhis using different colours of tussles,” said Manohar, a shopkeeper in Chandani Chowk.

“They mix and match several tussles together, using their favourite colours,” he added.

The cost of a self-designed lumba rakhi with a bangle ranges from Rs.250 Rs.500 while those without a bangle cost between Rs.50 and Rs.200.